The Philippines are located east of Vietnam and north of Indonesia and are made up of 7,641 islands that can be divided into three major island groups: Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. Some islands, such as the capital Manila, Cebu, and Davao, have developed into cosmopolitan cities. While some islands, such as Siargao and Leyte, are more remote and tropical, they provide something for every type of traveler.
The Philippines are the place to be when it comes to natural beauty. With vast mountain ranges, the world’s most diverse reef system, 600 species of birds, and more than 15,000 kilometers of coastline, there is much to discover.
Filipinos are primarily of Malay descent, with traces of Chinese, Spanish, and Arab blood. More than one hundred cultural minority groups are dispersed across the nation. Today, the Philippines is the third-largest English-speaking country in the world, and Forbes magazine named one of its cities one of the friendliest in the world. How Many Islands in The Philippines?
How Large Are The Philippines Based on Their Total Area?
As you might expect from an island nation with so many islands, the Philippines are quite large. When inland bodies of water are included in the total area of the Philippines, the total area of the nation is approximately 115,831 square miles. The total land area of the Philippines is approximately 300,000 square kilometers if converted from miles to kilometers.
The length of the Philippine coastline is 22,549 miles or 36,289 km. Consequently, the Philippines have the world’s fifth-longest coastline. Only Canada, Norway, Indonesia, and Russia possess a longer coastline than the Philippines. Nevertheless, it is important to note that measuring the lengths of coastlines is difficult.
Weather and Climate
The climate of the Philippines is subtropical, with two distinct seasons: the rainy season from June to November and the dry season from December to May.
Our dry season is further subdivided into the “cool dry season” from December to February. Which is the “winter” of the Philippines and is ideal for travelers who prefer a cooler climate. The average temperature ranges from 22°C to 28°C, with few precipitation events and sunny, dry weather.
And the ‘hot dry season from March to May – this is the summer of the Philippines, where you can expect temperatures to reach about 40°C in May at midday.
Visit The Cities
Cebu City
Cebu City is one of the Philippines’ most popular tourist destinations, thanks to its ideal blend of island coast and urban lifestyle. It is also the oldest city in the Philippines and one of the cradles of Philippine Christianity. Just outside the city limits, tourists can enjoy swimming with a variety of species off the coast of the island, or they can try more adventurous activities like canyoneering at Kawasan Falls.
Davao City
Davao City, the largest city in the Philippines (in terms of size) and the capital of the Davao region, is a wonderful getaway. Popular destinations include Eden Nature Park (a mountain resort ideal for relaxation), Malagos Garden Resort (a 12-hectare nature theme park featuring the Philippines’ first chocolate museum), and Jack’s Ridge (a dining destination with a spectacular view of the city).
Mount Apo, the highest peak in the Philippines and a mountaineer’s fantasy, is also located in Davao City. Its highest point is 2,954 meters in elevation (9,692 feet). Davao is also known as the home of the critically endangered Philippine Eagle (also known as the monkey-eating eagle), which has been designated the national bird of the Philippines.
Below is a detail of the 14 largest islands
in the Philippines
1. Bohol Island
Located in the southern portion of the Visayas, the island is the principal island of the province of Bohol. Bohol is the tenth largest island in the Philippines, with a total area of 3,269 km2.
The Chocolate Hills, a geological formation unique to the island, have made it famous. This natural wonder, which is recognized as a National Geological Monument, attracts tourists from across the country and abroad. The Philippine Tarsier, a small primate endemic to the Philippines, is another attraction on the island of Bohol.
2. Ifugao Rice Terraces Island
The Ifugao Rice Terraces are another example of the stunning landscapes found throughout the Philippines. Rice has been cultivated on terraced fields in the Ifugao province’s mountainous terrain for thousands of years. The rice terraces are not only a sight to behold but also an example of how the industry can coexist with nature.
3. Cebu Island
Cebu Island, affectionately nicknamed “Queen of the South,” is the largest island in the Visayas region and the 126th largest island on the planet. This sun-drenched island stretches for more than 120 miles from top to bottom. And is comprised of a variety of dramatic coastlines, beautiful beaches, limestone hills, and magnificent coral atolls.
Cebu Island is a tropical paradise inhabited by more than 3.5 million people. It consists of large pockets of developed areas, especially in and around Cebu City. Which has an intriguing mix of Spanish colonial history. While the rest of the island remains largely undeveloped. Cebu island, along with hundreds of smaller islands, comprises the province of Cebu, which was once the country’s capital in the 17th century.
4. Leyte Island
Leyte is an island located in the Visayas region of the Philippines. Politically, the island is subdivided into (Northern) Leyte and Southern Leyte. The island of Panaon is located to the south of the Southern Leyte Province. Biliran Island, located to the north of Leyte Island, was formerly a sub-province of Leyte and is now its own province, Biliran Province. Tacloban City, located on the eastern shore in the northwest corner of Leyte Gulf, and Ormoc City, located on the west coast, are the two major cities of Leyte.
The geothermal electric power plants near Ormoc on the island of Leyte are notable today. However, Leyte is best known for its contribution to the reconquest of the Philippines during World War II. General Douglas MacArthur returned to Leyte on 20 October 1944, wading ashore and announcing, “I have returned.” However, the Japanese did not give up so easily, as evidenced by the subsequent Battle of Leyte, and the convergence of naval forces led to the largest naval battle in history, the four-day Battle of Leyte Gulf.
5. Mindoro Island
Mindoro, the seventh-largest island of the Philippines, is located between Luzon and Palawan. With a total land area of 10,572 square kilometers, the island is subdivided into two provinces: Occidental Mindoro and Oriental Mindoro.
Due to its close proximity to Luzon, White Beach is located in the municipality. Of Puerto Galera, Oriental Mindoro is a popular weekend destination for many residents of Metro Manila. Mindoro is also well-known for the tamaraw, an island-endemic animal related to the water buffalo. Currently, this species is considered endangered.
6. Panay Island
The Philippines’ central island of Panay, which is triangular in shape, is the most westerly of the Visayan Islands. It is the fourth most populous island in the vast archipelago, with an estimated population of nearly 4.5 million people. 4.4% of the entire country’s population, to put it in perspective.
Panay island is frequently used as a stopover en route to more popular Boracay and its renowned White Beach.
7. Manila Island
The nation’s capital city is Manila, also known as the “Pearl of the Orient.” This bustling historic city is packed with museums, parks, theaters, shopping malls, and restaurants. Manila is famous for its diverse cuisines and street food markets, such as the Legazpi Sunday Market, Quiapo Market, and Binondo, the Philippines’ Chinatown.
8. Palawan Island
Palawan Island is the largest island in the Philippines’ Palawan Province. The northern coast of the island is adjacent to the South China Sea, while the southern coast forms the northern boundary of the Sulu Sea. This island is extremely primitive and traditional. Numerous tourists are attracted by the abundant wildlife, dense jungle, and white sand beaches.
National Geographic Traveler magazine ranks Palawan, the sole Philippine island mentioned, as the best island destination in East and Southeast Asia in 2007 and the thirteenth best island in the world “Seascapes and landscapes of astounding natural beauty. One of the islands in the Philippines with the greatest terrestrial and marine biodiversity.
The island has had a Biosphere Reserve status since the early 1990s, showing local interest for conservation and sustainable development”. On the island is the Iwahig Prison and Penal Farm, one of seven Bureau of Corrections operating facilities. An illegally poached animal-laden fishing vessel ran aground on a coral atoll off the coast of Palawan Island in April 2013.
9. Chocolate Hills
On the island of Bohol, the world-famous Chocolate Hills appear to be from another planet, as they appear to extend in a seemingly endless line. The gorgeous landscape is actually a natural formation that formed over countless eons.
In the summer, when the more than 1,200 rounded and peaked mounds are devoid of vegetation, they are said to resemble chocolate. The majestic Chocolate Hills has been designated by the Philippines as a National Geological Monument.
10. Negros Island
The island of Negros was founded on May 29, 2015, and it encompasses a total area of 5,139 square miles. Negros contains 4,414,131 residents, the majority of whom are Negrenses. Negros lies adjacent to the Visayan Sea, Bohol Sea, Sulu Sea, Guimaras Strait, Panay Gulf, and Tañon Strait.
Active Kanlaon Volcano is the island’s tallest mountain. Utilizing the island’s volcanic activity to generate electricity. The island consists of the Negros Occidental and Negros Oriental provinces, as well as the city of Bacolod. In addition to the production of hardwood, cotton, and gamefowl, sugar production is the most important economic activity on the island.
11. Samar Island
Samar island is the most easterly island of the Visayas group in the central Philippines. And it is surrounded by the Samar Sea, the Philippine Sea, and the San Bernardino Strait.
It is comprised of at least three provinces and is connected to Leyte by the San Juanico Strait. Approximately one-third of its land is protected by Samar Island Natural Park, which is the largest connected section of old-growth forest in the Philippines. Although it lacks the iconic mountains of the rest of the island archipelago, it is a hilly island with scenic coastal plains and flood plains.
12. Islands in The Philippines Mindanao
The island of Mindanao has an area of 37,657 square miles. Mount Apo, at an elevation of 9,692 feet above sea level, is the nation’s tallest peak. Mindanao is bordered by the Mindanao Sea to the north, the Philippine Sea to the east, the Sulu Sea to the west, and the Celebes Sea to the south.
Sulu, Samal, Basilan, and Dinagat are some of the islands that make up the Mindanao island group. Mindanao is home to an estimated 21,968,174 individuals, with 1,632,991 of them living in Davao City. Agriculture, fishing, industry, services, and forestry are the primary economic sectors of Mindanao, which account for 14% of the national GDP.
13. Calauit Island
Ecotourists have the opportunity to swim with dugongs on Calauit Island, which is renowned for its crystal-clear waters. These animals, which are related to manatees, are thought to have inspired mermaid myths. Locals on Calauit Island lead conservation-minded tours and educate tourists on dugongs and how they can aid in ensuring their survival.
14. Luzon Island
Luzon is the largest island in the Philippines, comprising 104,688 km2 of land area. It is the largest island of the Luzon group of islands and is located in the northern portion of the archipelago. Luzon contains thirty Philippine provinces. Manila, the nation’s capital, is also situated in this region.
The Mayon Volcano is an active volcano in the province of Albay. That is renowned for its perfect cone shape and is one of the most majestic symbols of the island.
Other well-known destinations in Luzon include two UNESCO World Heritage Sites, the Hispanic Town of Vigan in the province of Ilocos Sur. The Rice Terraces in Batad and Bangaan in the region of Ifugao, as well as the Walled City of Intramuros in the capital Manila. The town of Donsol is in the province of Sorsogon, the best place to swim with whale sharks.
Why It’s More Fun In The Philippines?
There is a multitude of compelling reasons to visit the Philippines. There is much more to discover on the 7,641 islands that make up this enchanted corner of the globe. It is famous for powder-white sands, turquoise waters, and stunning coral reefs. Suppose you look beyond the world-class scuba diving and idyllic beaches. You’ll discover a country with a distinct culture and a number of contradictions.
Discover verdant rice paddies, vibrant and fashionable cities, erupting volcanoes, incredible underground rivers and caves, the most magnificent wildlife, and most importantly, friendly and amusing people.
Whether you’re interested in water sports, or a taste of culture. Simply lazing on a beautiful beach. The Philippines is the best value-for-money destination with something for every type of traveler.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about How Many Islands in The Philippines?
Do the Philippines have 7100 islands?
The Philippines are an archipelago consisting of more than 7,100 islands spread across nearly 300,000 square kilometers. It is situated between the South China Sea to its west and the Philippine Sea to its east. The two largest islands in the chain, Luzon, and Mindanao, account for approximately 65% of the country’s total land area.
Which country has the most islands?
Cebu City serves as the capital of the province of Cebu Island, which is located approximately 570 kilometers south of Manila. Cebu is the oldest city and first capital of the Philippines, with a population of 2.5 million people.
What is the oldest place in the Philippines?
The majority of Sweden’s 221,800 islands are uninhabited, according to the website worldatlas.com, which claims that Sweden has the most islands of any country on Earth. Even the Swedish capital, Stockholm. It is constructed across a 14-island archipelago by means of more than 50 bridges.
What are the 4 main islands of the Philippines?
The Philippines is divided into three (3) major island groups Luzon, the Visayas, and Mindanao. Luzon and Mindanao are both named after the largest island in their respective groups. While the Visayas is an archipelago.
What is the 7th largest island in the Philippines?
Mindoro, the seventh-largest island of the Philippines, is located between Luzon and Palawan. The island is divided into two provinces, Occidental Mindoro and Oriental Mindoro, with a total land area of 10,572 km2.
What is the largest province in the Philippines?
Palawan is a Philippine island province situated in the MIMAROPA region. Its capital is Puerto Princesa City, and in terms of total land area, it is the country’s largest province. The islands of Palawan are located between Mindoro in the northeast and Borneo in the southwest.
What is the heart of the Philippines?
Due to the island’s resemblance to a human heart, Marinduque is referred to as “The Heart of the Philippines.” Its position in the arrangement of archipelago resembles the location of the heart in the human body.
How many cities are in the Philippines?
As of September 7, 2019, 146 cities exist in the Philippines. Thirty-three of these are highly urbanized cities, five are independent component cities. And the remaining cities are component cities of their respective provinces.
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